Supplier in PNP armored vehicle scam surrenders

MANILA, Philippines—A big-time supplier who is among those charged with the fictitious repair and maintenance of 28 units of Light Armored Vehicles (LAVs) worth P358.48 million in 2007 and 2008 turned himself in on Tuesday at the Sandiganbayan.

Tyrone Ong, charged with six counts of graft and two counts of malversation, was ordered arrested by the antigraft court last week together with 33 former and active Philippine National Police (PNP) officials and private individuals led by former PNP Chief Avelino Razon Jr.

Ong is one of the incorporators of Enviro-Aire Inc., a firm that supplies military equipment and fast craft to the PNP. His surrender brought to 15 the number of accused who have already been placed under the court’s jurisdiction.

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The court said 18 more accused are still at large.

Ong did not post bail for the graft cases since the malversation charge is nonbailable. He has nonetheless filed a petition for bail, appealing to the discretion of the justices.

Ong was brought to the Camp Crame custodial center where he will be detained indefinitely.

The remaining private defendants who are still at large are Ong’s brother Harold, Pamela Pensotes (RJP International Trading Construction and General Services), Alppa Times News editor Artemio B. Zuñiga; and traders-contractors Gigie Marpa and Marianne Jimenez (both of RKGK Enterprises), Oscar Madamba (Serpenair Group Inc.); Carmencita Salvador and Rasita Zaballero (both of Dex-Lan Enterprises).

Razon, former PNP comptroller Geary Barias and 12 other former police officers are already detained at Camp Crame while awaiting trial of their cases.

Five other former police officials were charged in the Sandiganbayan: former PNP comptrollers Eliseo de la Paz; former PNP National Headquarters-Bids and Awards Committee chair Reynaldo P. Varilla, vice chair Charlemagne S. Alejandrino; and former Logistics Support Service (LSS) Director Teodorico R. Lapuz IV.